It’s real. It’s actually happening. The Hollow Knight Silksong Game Pass release date is March 12, 2026, and years of “Silksong when?” memes can finally rest. Team Cherry’s long-awaited sequel is launching day one on Game Pass, and it’s part of what might be the strongest Game Pass month in the service’s history.
Hollow Knight Silksong — March 12 on Game Pass
Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available on Game Pass Cloud, Console, Handheld, and PC Game Pass starting March 12, 2026. That means whether you’re playing on Xbox Series X|S, PC, or streaming through the cloud, your Game Pass subscription gets you in on day one.
The game is also included with Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Ultimate, and PC Game Pass — so virtually every tier of the service covers it.
For anyone who hasn’t been following: Silksong is the sequel to 2017’s Hollow Knight, one of the highest-rated indie games ever made. The original sits at a 90 on Metacritic and sold millions of copies. It became a cultural phenomenon in the gaming community, and the announcement of Silksong back in 2019 sent the internet into a frenzy that never really stopped.
What Is Hollow Knight Silksong?
Instead of playing as The Knight, Silksong puts you in control of Hornet — the fierce, agile princess-protector who appeared as both ally and boss in the first game. She’s been captured and taken to a haunted kingdom at the top of the world, and you’ll fight your way through it using her silk and needle abilities.
Everything that made Hollow Knight special is back but expanded: interconnected world design, brutal-but-fair boss fights, deep lore hidden in every corner, and that gorgeous hand-drawn art style. Team Cherry has confirmed the game features an entirely new kingdom to explore, over 150 new enemies, new abilities, new tools, and a quest system.
If the first Hollow Knight gave you 40-60 hours, Silksong is expected to deliver even more. Team Cherry doesn’t ship small games.
Why This Is a Game Pass Blockbuster
Silksong launching on Game Pass is a massive win for Xbox. This is the kind of game that moves subscriptions. Hollow Knight has one of the most passionate fanbases in all of gaming, and giving them day-one access through Game Pass is a statement play from Microsoft.
But it’s not just Silksong making March special. Look at what else is hitting Game Pass this month:
- March 10: Cyberpunk 2077 (Cloud and Console) — CD Projekt Red’s open-world RPG, fully patched and with the Phantom Liberty expansion. One of the biggest third-party additions Game Pass has ever landed.
- March 13: Call of Duty: Warzone Black Ops Royale (Cloud, Console, PC) — the next evolution of Warzone, built on the Black Ops engine.
- March 4: to a T — a quirky adventure from Keita Takahashi, the creator of Katamari Damacy.
- March 5: Planet of Lana II: Children of the Leaf — the sequel to the beautiful cinematic platformer.
Cyberpunk 2077 and Silksong arriving within two days of each other is absurd value. If you don’t have Game Pass yet, March 2026 is the month to get it.
The End of “Silksong When?”
For those who weren’t there, the “Silksong when?” phenomenon was a years-long running joke (and genuine frustration) across the gaming community. After its 2019 announcement, Team Cherry went mostly silent. Every gaming event — E3, The Game Awards, State of Play, Xbox Showcase — fans flooded chat with “SILKSONG??” only to be met with silence.
The game became a meme. People joked that it didn’t exist. That Team Cherry had moved to a remote island. That the trailers were elaborate pranks. It was the Half-Life 3 of indie games.
And now it’s two days from being on your screen. Through Game Pass. For essentially free if you’re already subscribed.
What Else Launches March 12?
Silksong isn’t alone on March 12. Game Pass is also adding:
- Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake — a remake of the classic Japanese horror game, now on modern hardware with updated graphics.
- GreedFall: The Dying World — the latest entry in the GreedFall RPG series.
March 12 alone is a three-game drop, and all three are worth playing. But let’s be real — Silksong is the one people are setting alarms for.
Should You Play Hollow Knight First?
If you haven’t played the original Hollow Knight, you absolutely should — and it’s a perfect time to start. The original is available on every platform, usually for under $15, and regularly goes on sale for even less. It’s a 40+ hour masterpiece that will keep you busy until Silksong launches.
That said, Team Cherry has indicated that Silksong works as a standalone experience. You don’t strictly need to play the first game to enjoy the sequel, but you’ll appreciate the lore connections and Hornet’s character a lot more if you do.
Mark Your Calendar
Hollow Knight: Silksong — March 12, 2026 — Day One on Game Pass.
This is one of those rare moments where years of anticipation, genuine quality, and perfect timing all align. Whether you’re a day-one Hollow Knight fan who’s been waiting since 2019 or someone who’s never touched the series, Game Pass just gave you zero excuse not to play one of the most anticipated games of the decade.
Check out our full breakdown of every game releasing in March 2026 to plan your month, and if you’re looking for something to play while you wait, our list of best free PC games in 2026 has you covered.
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